Rice Stadium upgrade plans include two-story football facility

Updated 9:59 pm, Thursday, October 20, 2011

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Chronicle

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Rice Stadium, which was designed and built in 1950, is a recipient of the American Institute of Architects' 50-Year Award. The stadium originally had seating for 70,000 fans but has been scaled back to accommodate 47,000. However, the capability remains to expand the seating to its original 70,000 configuration.

Rice Stadium, which was designed and built in 1950, is a recipient of the American Institute of Architects' 50-Year Award. The stadium originally had seating for 70,000 fans but has been scaled back to

Calling it "a critical investment in the future of Rice football," university officials on Thursday unveiled a plan to build a two-story football facility at the south end of Rice Stadium.

The proposed 80,000-square-foot complex will house training and locker rooms, a sports medicine center, offices for coaching staff and support personnel, and the Rice Athletic Hall of Fame, according to details released by the university.

"The new facility, plus other renovations to the south end zone, will make much-needed enhancements to this historic stadium and enhance the experience of our student-athletes and our Owls fans," Rice president David Leebron said. "We are hopeful that people who love and support Rice's wonderful football legacy - a legacy of high standards on the field of play and in the classroom - will help make these critical investments in the future of Rice football."

No price tag was given for the project, but two people with knowledge of the situation told the Chronicle earlier this week that construction of a football facility and other deferred maintenance to the 61-year-old stadium will cost close to $40 million.

Private donors involved

The project, which represents the most significant financial commitment to the stadium since it was built in 1950, will be funded by private donations.

Approval is still needed by the school's board of trustees, but that appears to be a formality given Leebron's public endorsement Thursday.

Under the proposed plan, the current facility in the south end zone - which also includes the R Room - will be demolished. A person familiar with the planning said one idea being discussed involves constructing the football facility detached from the stadium.

"Rice Stadium is a beautiful and storied facility, but it is showing the wear and tear of its 61 years of age," Rice athletic director Rick Greenspan said. "Replacing the training and other facilities on the stadium's southern vista will go a long way toward restoring its luster and giving Rice football players and fans the kind of quality experience they expect from this university."

A pre-design study was conducted last summer, and university and athletic department officials worked with consultants from design firm AECOM to evaluate the stadium's facilities. The group also made visits to see facilities at other schools across the country.

No timetable was given, but the university said the next step is "to develop design and cost options."

Maintaining tradition

"Rice is perfectly positioned with one of the most beautiful and historic stadiums in the country," said Bucky Allshouse, a board of trustee member and former Rice football player. "The end-zone facility renovation will help carry on that wonderful tradition for Owls players and fans as we enter the university's second century."

The most recent upgrades to Rice Stadium came in 2006 with the addition of a scoreboard and video display in the north end zone, a new playing surface, and installation of metal bleachers. At that time, blue tarps were placed in both end zones to lower capacity from 70,000 to 47,000.